WILTON — A state-owned bridge on Route 31, located behind the Label Art Building and connected to Island Street, will be closed to traffic for approximately six weeks, while the state effects a replacement of the bridge’s decking.

Repairs on the bridge began in mid-June, but until now, the bridge has been open to one-way traffic during business hours. As of July 7, however, both lanes will close while the decking is replaced.

The Department of Transportation is responsible for paying to replace the bridge, a job that is estimated at $885,000, according to the DOT website. The town, however, was responsible for costs associated with creating a new support system for a sewer pipe which runs underneath the bridge.

In order to replace the bridge deck, the bridge itself will have to be lifted approximately one inch at both ends. The pipe was attached to the bridge, and attempts to raise the bridge would have also raised the pipe, damaging it. The town was responsible for engineering costs to engineer a new support system with adjustable hangers that allowed the pipe to remain in place while the bridge is raised. Last year, the town’s Sewer Commission approved $5,000 to pay for the engineering costs to design an adjustable hanger that would extend the hangers by an inch as the decking was raised, to keep the pipe in place.

The old decking will be ripped out, new concrete decking installed, and new bearings put in to support the bridge. New sidewalk and railings on the sides of the bridge will be installed for pedestrians.

The DOT estimates the project to be completed by September of this year, which will mean that the bridge will be back in use for the town’s Old Home Day celebration parade in August, which usually begins across the river from Main Street and uses the bridge to access Main Street via Island Street.

During the closure, access to Mill Street and Island Street will still be available from Gibbon’s Highway.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ex. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaari.